In a decisive move, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has officially ruled out any alliance with the Congress in West Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Mamata Banerjee, the party chief and State Chief Minister, affirmed that discussions with the Congress had not taken place, and the TMC had decided to contest the elections independently in West Bengal. She stated that the TMC had proposed a partnership, but the Congress rejected it outright, leading to the decision to go solo.
The seat-sharing negotiations proved challenging, with the TMC offering two seats to the Congress, which insisted on six. Out of the 42 MPs West Bengal sends to the Lok Sabha, only two currently belong to the Congress, while 23 are from the TMC. Despite the setback in alliance talks, Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh expressed optimism, highlighting both parties’ common goal of countering the BJP.
Mamata Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of communication from the Congress regarding its Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entering West Bengal. When questioned about the INDIA bloc, she emphasized that the alliance is not confined to a single party.
Meanwhile, in Punjab, AAP Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asserted the party’s determination to secure all 13 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections, dismissing any possibility of an alliance with the Congress. Mann stated unequivocally that the AAP would not align with the Congress in Punjab. With around 40 potential candidates emerging after recent party deliberations, the AAP aims to showcase Punjab’s significance in the upcoming electoral landscape and anticipates a resounding victory in 2024.
